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A Pele mural in São Paulo: The best Brazilian player in history moves the football world
Photo: MIGUEL SCHINCariol / AFP
The football world is once again concerned about the health of the Brazilian three-time world champion Pelé.
At the World Cup in Qatar, the 82-year-old is receiving a lot of attention these days: facades in Doha are illuminated with wishes for recovery, he is a topic at press conferences, Kylian Mbappé dedicated a tweet to him that simply says: "Pray for the king."
The reason for this is a report by the highest-circulation daily newspaper in São Paulo, the »Folha de São Paulo«.
Pelé, who has colon cancer, was hospitalized on Tuesday.
His doctors said it was about a "re-evaluation" of chemotherapy.
Pelé has been undergoing one since the removal of an intestinal tumor in September 2021.
According to the "Folha de São Paulo", the result of this "reassessment" was not positive: Pelé is said to be receiving palliative care now.
Only symptoms such as pain and shortness of breath would be treated.
Palliative medicine is dedicated to the treatment of people with advanced disease whose life expectancy is estimated to be low.
The message spread quickly: Mbappé announced his good wishes via Twitter, England captain Harry Kane was confronted at the press conference before the round of 16 against Senegal.
The Three Lions goalscorer hailed Pele as "an inspiration".
The English team sent "best wishes" to Pele and his family.
All clear from doctors and family
However, there are doubts as to whether the sick football legend is really that bad.
Most recently, Pelé's daughter Kely do Nascimiento had already given the all-clear that there was "no emergency or a new gloomy forecast" to announce.
The Israelita Albert Einstein Hospital in São Paulo also said that unlike after the colon surgery in 2021, Pelé did not have to be transferred to the intensive care unit.
The Brazilian record goalscorer has “full control over his vital functions”.
Pelé himself calls for watching the World Cup
And the journalist Tariq Panja from the "New York Times" said on Twitter on Saturday evening, citing the hospital, that Pelé's condition had not deteriorated within the last 24 hours, but that he was still being treated.
However, there is no mention of palliative medicine on the part of the physicians.
Pelé himself was also optimistic late in the evening on Saturday.
"My friends, I want everyone to stay calm and positive," wrote the football icon via Instagram.
"I'm strong, I have a lot of hope and I'm following my treatment as usual." Pelé thanked him for the messages that give him strength and wished one thing above all from his fans: "Watch Brazil at the World Cup! «
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